Vic Showcase is over

Sunshine and Shadow

Ring of Roses

Dream Fountain

Vic Showcase is over for another year. I can't believe how quickly it passes.

Thank you to sponsors and organiser's who never fail in making each year better than the last. I was really impressed with all the quilts exhibited - there were some great examples of bold color which I loved, and lots of hand quilting and traditional quilts. A great mix and definite inspiration for anyone interested in quilting and design. And of course, quilter's make the best company - it was no nice to put some faces the names of some Red Delicious Quilters and bloggers generally.

What now?

Well, I have a few pieced quilts I'm thinking of, and as always....I really have to try and find some time to get to grips with EQ6! No I still havent gotten around to it....even though it would probably speed up the back catalogue of ideas I have. Anyhow, you have to aspire to something!

Thank You Westalee Design

Thank you to Leonie and Bill at Westalee Design

for sponsoring this year's Best Original Design Award

How appropriate to have an original ruler designer sponsoring this award!

They also have a great website - why not visit via the link?

Ah!... my heart skipped a beat when I saw all the design tools and nested templates on offer which I could use in my next quilt, which of course I am already busy thinking up. Well, it is about time I made my next pieced quilt and now it's even easier. I have no excuse!

Sunshine and Shadow

Sunshine and Shadow

The Vic Quilter's Showcase opened on Thursday and I am delighted to announce that Sunshine and Shadow won the Best Original Design Award.

Congratulations to everyone taking part in the show this year, as usual the work is just inspiring. Also, a big congratulations to Linda Steele who won Best of Show for her quilt Star Crazy.

This is a quick pic of Sunshine & Shadow during quilting. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I was working through this quilt step by step, so it's nice to finish this process and be recognised for the work put into designing an original stencil quilt. There are so many great original designers out there that I feel honoured to be recognised in this way.

Unfortunatley due to unforseen circumstances, I wasn't at the Presentation on Thursday, so I dont have a full size pic yet, however I plan to head in tomorrow and will post an updated image then. Also hanging in the show is Ring of Roses and also my fantasy challenge wall hanging "Dream Fountain".

For those of you going in tomorrow - Saturday- hope to see you there, do come by and say hello!

Back Home

What a week!

Last week I was honored to be a tutor at Quilt Encounter 2009

Thank you to the organisers and of course students - the days just flew by in the company of such talented quilters. I really appreciate the love and support that shone throughout the encounter. The end of day get together of tutors and meeting new people was a definite highlight and reminded me again just how rewarding sharing quilting techniques can be. I cant wait to see some more examples of stenciling shining through in upcoming showcases...stenciled blocks: I know you're out there....

Now I'm finally home and finishing off my quilt (more pics early next week)

Vic Showcase (Jeffs Shed) is around the corner - doors open Thursday morning

Do come and say hello, I will be there everyday milling about

Cherry Blossom

Block 9: Cherry Blossom

Block 9 is now available. For those of you who have been experiencing trouble with Scribd.com (or just don't like using it), have you considered joining the Esther Aliu BOM Yahoo Group? It's free to join and you have access to the available blocks easily once you are a member. It's also a great place to discuss ideas, techniques, and post pics of your fabulous finished blocks (my favourite bit!)

Unpeeling the Stencil

Unpeeling the stencil!

Yes, it all turned out just right

I love peeling back and revealing

It's seeing your design fleshed out for the first time

and you never really know how

it will turn out until this moment

I don't do 'drafts' so I love the unvealing

Phew!

Busy Working

Stenciling has begun and I am hard at work

I like to build up a flow and finish an entire piece in one sitting

and it looks like I wouldnt be able to walk away anyway,

as my cat has an intent look in her eyes,

which is following the tip of my brush

"honestly I am not planning anything!'

Stencil Day!

Today is stencil day. This is always such a fun and exciting part of designing - getting it down. Even my cat can sense something interesting is happening as she's given up her spot by the heating duct to see what I am up to!

I finalised my design and centre panel stencil yesterday. It's moving quickly and taking on it's own shape- but still no name has come to me. Oh well...

I have prepared the fabric and am just about ready to start. This is a picture of the stencil being arranged on the fabric. I can't wait to see the result. This is the part of stenciling I like the most - total control over your design and of course the anticipation as you start working with your brush...